Rvb1p and Rvb2p are essential components of a chromatin remodeling complex that regulates transcription of over 5% of yeast genes.

Eukaryotic Rvb1p and Rvb2p are two highly conserved proteins related to the helicase subset of the AAA+ family of ATPases. Conditional mutants in both genes show rapid changes in the transcription of over 5% of yeast genes, with a similar number of genes being repressed and activated. Both Rvb1p and Rvb2p are required for maintaining the induced state of many inducible promoters. ATP binding and hydrolysis by Rvb1p and Rvb2p is individually essential in vivo, and the two proteins are associated with each other in a high molecular weight complex that shows ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling activity in vitro. Our findings show that Rvb1p and Rvb2p are essential components of a chromatin remodeling complex and determine genes regulated by the complex.

EMB-30: an APC4 homologue required for metaphase-to-anaphase transitions during meiosis and mitosis in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Here we show that emb-30 is required for metaphase-to-anaphase transitions during meiosis and mitosis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Germline-specific emb-30 mutant alleles block the meiotic divisions. Mutant oocytes, fertilized by wild-type sperm, set up a meiotic spindle but do not progress to anaphase I. As a result, polar bodies are not produced, pronuclei fail to form, and cytokinesis does not occur. Severe-reduction-of-function emb-30 alleles (class I alleles) result in zygotic sterility and lead to germline and somatic defects that are consistent with an essential role in promoting the metaphase-to-anaphase transition during mitosis. Analysis of the vulval cell lineages in these emb-30(class I) mutant animals suggests that mitosis is lengthened and eventually arrested when maternally contributed emb-30 becomes limiting. By further reducing maternal emb-30 function contributed to class I mutant animals, we show that emb-30 is required for the metaphase-to-anaphase transition in many, if not all, cells. Metaphase arrest in emb-30 mutants is not due to activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint but rather reflects an essential emb-30 requirement for M-phase progression. A reduction in emb-30 activity can suppress the lethality and sterility caused by a null mutation in mdf-1, a component of the spindle assembly checkpoint machinery. This result suggests that delaying anaphase onset can bypass the spindle checkpoint requirement for normal development. Positional cloning established that emb-30 encodes the likely C. elegans orthologue of APC4/Lid1, a component of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome, required for the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. Thus, the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome is likely to be required for all metaphase-to-anaphase transitions in a multicellular organism.

Cloning and characterization of arylamine N-acetyltransferase genes from Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis: increased expression results in isoniazid resistance.

Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are found in many eukaryotic organisms, including humans, and have previously been identified in the prokaryote Salmonella typhimurium. NATs from many sources acetylate the antitubercular drug isoniazid and so inactivate it. nat genes were cloned from Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and expressed in Escherichia coli and M. smegmatis. The induced M. smegmatis NAT catalyzes the acetylation of isoniazid. A monospecific antiserum raised against pure NAT from S. typhimurium recognizes NAT from M. smegmatis and cross-reacts with recombinant NAT from M. tuberculosis. Overexpression of mycobacterial nat genes in E. coli results in predominantly insoluble recombinant protein; however, with M. smegmatis as the host using the vector pACE-1, NAT proteins from M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis are soluble. M. smegmatis transformants induced to express the M. tuberculosis nat gene in culture demonstrated a threefold higher resistance to isoniazid. We propose that NAT in mycobacteria could have a role in acetylating, and hence inactivating, isoniazid.

Caenorhabditis elegans lin-25: cellular focus, protein expression and requirement for sur-2 during induction of vulval fates.

Induction of vulval fates in the C. elegans hermaphrodite is mediated by a signal transduction pathway involving Ras and MAP kinase. Previous genetic analysis has suggested that two potential targets of this pathway in the vulva precursor cells are two novel proteins, LIN-25 and SUR-2. In this report, we describe further studies of lin-25. The results of a genetic mosaic analysis together with those of experiments in which lin-25 was expressed under the control of an heterologous promoter suggest that the major focus of lin-25 during vulva induction is the vulva precursor cells themselves. We have generated antisera to LIN-25 and used these to analyse the pattern of protein expression. LIN-25 is present in all six precursor cells prior to and during vulva induction but later becomes restricted to cells of the vulval lineages. Mutations in genes in the Ras/MAP kinase pathway do not affect the pattern of expression but the accumulation of LIN-25 is reduced in the absence of sur-2. Overexpression of LIN-25 does not rescue sur-2 mutant defects suggesting that LIN-25 and SUR-2 may function together. LIN-25 is also expressed in the lateral hypodermis. Overexpression of LIN-25 disrupts lateral hypodermal cell fusion, suggesting that lin-25 may play a role in regulating cell fusions in C. elegans.

Quality control of extemporaneously prepared microdose captopril capsules: weight variation versus content uniformity.

Microdose (1 mg) captopril therapy is commonly used for the initial dose titration in patients with congestive heart failure. Since this dosage form is not commercially available, it has to be extemporaneously compounded. Quality control of each batch is commonly evaluated using the weight variation technique described in the USP. Despite careful titration with microdose, captopril capsules variability in patient's response has been observed. In order to explain this fluctuation, the actual content of extemporaneously compounded microdose captopril capsules was evaluated using a high pressure liquid chromatographic assay. Microdose captopril capsules were prepared by triturating 25 mg tablets with lactose in a mortar using standard geometric dilution technique and a Sharpe-Dohme hand-operated capsule filling machine. Forty-eight microdose captopril capsules were randomly selected from the compounded batch and were individually assayed for captopril amount. The mean +/- standard deviation (SD) amount of captopril in each capsule was 1.27 g +/- 0.31 mg with a range of 0.84 g to 1.96 mg. The coefficient of variation was 24.5%. Ten captopril capsules were randomly selected from the compounded batch and were individually weighed. The capsules had a mean weight +/- SD of 198.3 g +/- 21.2 mg and a coefficient of variation of 7.3%. Even though the extemporaneously prepared microdose captopril capsules were within acceptable limits for weight variation described in the USP, the actual dose administered to the patients could vary by as much as 24.5%.

The chemical stability of captopril capsules.

Captopril therapy is effective in the management of congestive heart failure. The development of hypotension, using low or standard doses, frequently precludes many patients from continuing therapy. The use of 1 mg "microdose" captopril capsules has been used for dose titration to avoid complications associated with hypotension. This study evaluated the chemical stability of 1 mg microdose captopril capsules, extemporaneously prepared from commercially available captopril tablets for a period of 60 days which were stored in an amber vial at standard room temperature conditions. Captopril samples were analyzed in triplicate using high pressure liquid chromatographic method on days 0, 30, and 60 following perparation. There was no degradation observed on any of the sampling days. Therefore, the formulation of 1 mg captopril capsules remain stable for a period of 60 days.

Respiratory tract deposition of sodium cromoglycate is highly dependent upon technique of inhalation using the Spinhaler.

Sodium cromoglycate deposition has been studied following delivery of the drug by inhalation to six normal volunteers and two groups of ten patients using the Spinhaler. Plasma concentrations of the drug, and its urinary excretion have been related to the inhalation technique used for its delivery. An early peak concentration of sodium cromoglycate occurred in the plasma, thereafter the plasma concentration declined mono- or bi-exponentially with a terminal T1/2 of approximately 100 minutes in both patients and normal subjects. There was a marked between-subject variability in the plasma concentrations of sodium cromoglycate achieved, and in the areas under the plasma concentration-time curves of the drug. This reflects the variability between subjects in the amount of drug delivered to the respiratory tract. Most of this variability was due to differences in inhalation technique particularly with regard to inspiratory flow rate achieved and duration of breath-holding after inhalation. Thus careful instruction of patients is required to derive optimal dosing with sodium cromoglycate. It is recommended that patients inhale through the Spinhaler as rapidly as possible and then breath-hold for 10 seconds. These data provide a valuable background against which to study the relationship between the disposition of sodium cromoglycate, its site of action and its efficacy.

The pharmacokinetics of sodium cromoglycate in man after intravenous and inhalation administration.

The pharmacokinetics of sodium cromoglycate in four healthy volunteers after slow intravenous infusion have been evaluated following measurement of plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. The results confirm earlier findings that sodium cromoglycate is rapidly eliminated from the body and that the data can be fitted to a two compartment open model. The pharmacokinetic parameters derived from the intravenous administration were used to evaluate the pharmacokinetics after inhalation administration via the Spinhaler. A model for absorption from the lungs is described which involves absorption at two different rates; this gives a better fit to the observed data than a single absorption rate. A fast absorption rate constant with a mean value of 0.54 min-1 and a slower rate constant with a mean value of 0.0097 min-1 were found. Of a mean total of 2.84 mg absorbed from a 20 mg inhaled dose, 0.68 +/- 0.15 (s.e. mean) mg were absorbed at the fast rate and 2.17 +/- 0.37 mg at the slower rate. These rates probably reflect absorption from different sites within the lungs. The results may have important implications for interpretation of clinical findings.

The clinical development of a new agent for the treatment of airway inflammation, nedocromil sodium (Tilade).

Nedocromil sodium is the disodium salt of a novel pyranoquinoline dicarboxylic acid which has physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties which make it suitable for delivery to the respiratory tract by inhalation. Its biological properties suggest that it will display anti-allergic effects in man and that it will also have anti-inflammatory activity in chronic reversible obstructive airways disease. The clinical development of nedocromil sodium has been influenced by its anticipated effects in man and also by the knowledge that preclinical and early clinical tests are poor predictors of efficacy for agents of this type. Thus, although nedocromil sodium prevents immediate and delayed reactions to bronchial antigen challenge, and also prevents exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, the clinical development programme of this drug was designed to provide therapeutic double-blind trials of 1 month's treatment with the drug at the earliest opportunity, because this was thought to be the definitive test for activity. Studies on a larger scale and of longer duration followed the positive outcome of the first therapeutic trials. This series of studies, conducted to different designs, demonstrated the safety and efficacy of nedocromil sodium. They also permitted a view to be gained of the place of nedocromil sodium in the management of patients with airways inflammation.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ethanol, whiskey, and ethanol with n-propyl, n-butyl, and iso-amyl alcohols.

Plasma ethanol concentration, reaction time, and electroencephalogram (EEG) were recorded in 6 normal men after ingestion of ethanol along (Group 1), whiskey (Group 2), or a mixture of ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, and iso-amyl alcohol (Group 3). The peak plasma ethanol concentration and the total area under the plasma concentration:time curve of ethanol did not depend upon the type of drink given, but the half-life of the terminal exponential phase of ethanol elimination was longer in Group 3. In each study period reaction time increased, there was a relative increase in delta activity (2 to 3 Hz) and a fall in mean dominant frequency in EEG activity. The extent of increase in reaction time depended on the rate of increase in plasma ethanol concentration and correlated with the concentration of ethanol while the plasma concentration of ethanol was falling. Differences in the effects of ethanol between study periods were minimal.

Prolactin, diuretics and urinary electrolytes in normal subjects.

The relationship of plasma prolactin concentration and renal electrolyte excretion has been investigated in six normal male volunteers. In two studies, 80 mg frusemide were administered at 18.00 h on Day 1 and followed by dietary sodium restriction. In study A, after 38 h of sodium depletion, a second dose of frusemide was administered at 08.00 h on Day 3. In study B, after 14 h of sodium depletion, the effect of administration of 100 mg spironolactone or 45 mg prorenoate potassium (another aldosterone antagonist) at 08.00 h on Day 2 was compared with that of a placebo. After the first dose of frusemide in study A, the mean plasma prolactin concentration correlated negatively with the urinary Na and K excretion over 5 h. After 38 h sodium depletion, the plasma prolactin concentration correlated positively with urinary Na excretion following the second dose of frusemide. In study B, after Na depletion for 14 h the plasma prolactin concentration of 08.00 h on Day 2 had a positive correlation with the 24 h urinary log10 Na:K ratio following placebo administration and had negative correlations with the true urinary log10 Na:K ratio following spironolactone and prorenoate potassium administration. Neither acute Na deprivation nor the administration of single doses of frusemide, spironolactone or proprenoate potassium appeared to affect the normal circadian rhythm of plasma prolactin concentrations which remained constant for each subject throughout the 3 months covered by the investigation. The correlations of plasma prolactin concentration to renal excretion of electrolytes, with no evidence for a negative feedback control mechanism, suggest an indirect relationship between prolactin and renal function.

The elimination of ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl and iso-amyl alcohols by the isolated perfused rat liver.

The elimination of ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl and iso-amyl alcohols has been investigated over a dose range in the isolated perfused rat liver. The elimination of ethanol was saturable with a zero-order phase being succeeded below a concentration of 5 mmol by an exponential phase. The elimination of n-propyl, n-butyl and iso-amyl alcohols was similar. There was an increasing affinity of the alcohol to the rate-limiting process with increasing carbon chain length of the alcohol. The apparent Michaelis constants for the alcohols were similar to those determined in vitro with the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. The addition of ethanol simultaneously with either n-propyl, n-butyl or iso-amyl alcohol was associated with a reduction in the rate of elimination of both ethanol and the higher alcohol. Changes in the apparent Michaelis constant (KM) in the absence of changes in the apparent maximal velocity (Vmax) suggested competitive inhibition for the elimination process.

Antagonism of endogenous mineralocorticoids in normal subjects by prorenoate potassium and spironolactone.

The pharmacological activity of single oral doses of a new aldosterone antagonist, prorenoate potassium, has been compared with spironolactone and placebo in a balanced double-blind crossover study in six healthy subject. Endogenous mineralocorticoids were stimulated by administration of frusemide followed by dietary sodium restriction, and the urinary excretion of electrolytes in response to prorenoate potassium, spironolactone and placebo was measured over a 24 hour period. Significant activity of prorenoate potassium and spironolactone was observed between 2 - 24 hours after medication, with peak activity at 6 - 8 hours. The active drugs significantly increased sodium excretion and the sodium : potassium (Na/K) ratio, but changes in potassium excretion were not significant. The total urine Na/K response to prorenoate potassium 45 mg was significantly greater than to spironolactone 100 mg.

Plasma uric acid concentration related to the urinary excretion of aldosterone and of electrolytes in normal subjects.

1. The relations between the concentration of plasma uric acid and urinary excretion of aldosterone, sodium and potassium, were studied in ten healthy males on a diet containing 160 mmol of sodium and 90 mmol of potassium per day. 2. Plasma uric acid correlated positively with aldosterone excretion and this correlation was statistically independent of sodium and potassium excretion. 3. Plasma uric acid correlated positively with potassium excretion and negatively with the urinary sodium/potassium ratio. There was no significant simple correlation with sodium excretion but the partial correlation of plasma uric acid and sodium excretion was negative and significant when excretion of aldosterone and potassium were held constant.